Plasma antioxidants and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.
BACKGROUND
Atherosclerosis remains clinically mute for a long time and frequently manifests itself with an acute cardiovascular event. The possibility of detecting this disease in a subclinical phase and reducing or reversing its progression is an issue of relevance. Published studies on the association between antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) have been inconclusive.


METHODS
We enrolled 220 consecutive, asymptomatic participants. After carotid ultrasound investigation, a medical history was taken, a physical examination was performed and venous blood samples were collected. Venous blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids.


RESULTS
Low concentrations of vitamin A (p < 0.01), vitamin E (p < 0.001), lycopene (p < 0.01) and beta-carotene (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT > or = 0.8 mm). In addition, marginally higher body mass index, plasma haemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also associated with carotid atherosclerosis, while other laboratory parameters considered in this study (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein) were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Low plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, beta-carotene) and lycopene were associated with early carotid atherosclerotic lesions as measured by CIMT. Regular intake of foods rich in lycopene and antioxidant vitamins may slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
Riccioni
Graziano
G
Cardiology Unit, San Camillo de Lellis' Hospital, Manfredonia, Italy. griccioni@hotmail.com
Bucciarelli
Tonino
T
D'Orazio
Nicolantonio
N
Palumbo
Nicola
N
di Ilio
Emanuela
E
Corradi
Francesco
F
Pennelli
Alfonso
A
Bazzano
Lydia A
LA
D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D006454:Hemoglobins; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene